To a classroom full of WT students, Justice Nathan Hecht spoke about the state's court system and answered questions on legal issues.

Privacy is a huge legal issue Hecht said his court will have to address in the future.

"Philosophically, we're a very private people," Hecht said. "So we value our privacy. On the other hand, we value public information. We have freedom of the press. Hardly any other country has that."

Issues involving the growth of the Internet, identity theft and patients' medical issues are among those where privacy versus public knowledge must be weighed, he said.

There is growing tension in our culture between what people want to know and what the lines of privacy are, Hecht said.

"It gets very complicated by the technology," Hecht said.

Targeted television advertising is another issue he said is likely to raise these privacy concerns.

Justice Priscilla Owen spoke to about 30 advanced placement government and economics students at Tascosa.

Owen talked about the Texas court system with two high courts, one for civil and one for criminal. Owen said she'd support any legislation to merge the two because dealing with both types of laws gives a balance to the judges.

On a lighter note, Owen explained the rules of seniority. The justice on the bench the shortest amount of time is the junior judge. Seniority determines seating during trials, conferences and photos, parking spaces and offices.